Maintenance: Kubota L Series Radiator gets stopped up frequently

[jp2code]

As stated in the title, the radiator (specifically the screen in front of the radiator) gets clogged rather quickly, it seems.

OK, I'm out mowing about 9 hours straight per day for the last 3 days. Lots of dusty fields.

After 5 hours of saddle time, I see the temperature start to climb.

Before it gets hot, I'll pull over in a shady spot, and pop the hood.

Sure enough, the radiator screen is about half clogged with dust. I pull it out to shake it clean, and I find the radiator also is about half clogged. I'll typically pull some sort of weed to brush in the area to knock the dust off.

Then, I hop back in the seat, rev the engine back up to PTO range, and go on.

The temperature almost always goes back to the cooler side of the gauge.

So, my question is: Is this normal for other Kubota owners? It just seems like that would really be big deal that shouldn't be happening.

I'm currently at 517 hours or so, if that matters. Radiator fluid was supposed to be changed at the last service this summer. Fluid is good, too.

 

[ultrarunner]

I try to mow when it is not hot and dusty... early morning works good or a few days after a good rain.

One problem in the extreme dry and dusty is the possibility of starting a fire from a spark...

The screen is very important and it is good you keep an eye on the temp gauge...

 

[C4Ranch]

Yup... That's what happens.

 

[jp2code]

Early mornings? I start at 7:30 AM and mow until 6:30 PM. I don't stop for lunch or to pee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsV2FODXGBg

I've got 1 week to mow 22 miles of pipeline right of way.

 

[ultrarunner]

It looks like regular intervals for screen inspection/cleaning is the order of the day.

On a side note... I don't think I could sit in an L seat 11 hours... let alone 8 hours everyday...

About 3 hours max covers anything I need to do and I always top off the fuel, grease the zerks, check the fluid levels and clean the screen at the end of the day so no matter what... the L is ready to go when I need it.

 

[mddorange]

Yes, I have had to stop and clean my L's radiator screen when Bush hogging many times. Like Ultrarunner, I try to get an early start or wait until after it rains if possible.

 

[s219]

Very normal -- you should plan routine cleanings into your schedule, and don't wait until the temp needle climbs. Be proactive.

 

[big bubba]

given those dusty conditions, also clean out your air filter at least every 5-10 hrs of work. i like to clean from inside out... inserting a leaf blower tube inside the filter works great. compressed air is ok too, just be sure not to concentrate the flow as to damage the paper element, etc. even just shaking the filter in the field will help... surprised to hear dust buildup on a kubota radiator (or screen), had that problem with older tractors, but never a minute on my M series. regards

 

[bikerdib]

Your question sounds like you think it is a design flaw. In fact it is doing exactly what it is designed to do. Cleaning the screens is much easier than cleaning the radiator, especially in the field. They could have designed a radiator that has larger openings between the fins which would allow more debris to flow through and thereby using a more open screen but then the radiator would have to be much larger overall to provide enough cooling.

As stated in the title, the radiator (specifically the screen in front of the radiator) gets clogged rather quickly, it seems.

OK, I'm out mowing about 9 hours straight per day for the last 3 days. Lots of dusty fields.

After 5 hours of saddle time, I see the temperature start to climb.

Before it gets hot, I'll pull over in a shady spot, and pop the hood.

Sure enough, the radiator screen is about half clogged with dust. I pull it out to shake it clean, and I find the radiator also is about half clogged. I'll typically pull some sort of weed to brush in the area to knock the dust off.

Then, I hop back in the seat, rev the engine back up to PTO range, and go on.

The temperature almost always goes back to the cooler side of the gauge.

So, my question is: Is this normal for other Kubota owners? It just seems like that would really be big deal that shouldn't be happening.

I'm currently at 517 hours or so, if that matters. Radiator fluid was supposed to be changed at the last service this summer. Fluid is good, too.

 

[oosik]

I've never had dust on either the removable screen or the radiator, either. Lots of bigger stuff - leaves,pine needles, twigs etc on the removable screen.

I wonder, is there something on your removable screen & radiator fins that is causing the dust to stick. Maybe, at the end of the day wash the radiator & removable screen with hot soapy water.

 

[big bubba]

I've never had dust on either the removable screen or the radiator, either. Lots of bigger stuff - leaves,pine needles, twigs etc on the removable screen.

i think on the larger utility series there's a more efficient shroud on the hood that keeps things like that out. plus the smaller cut's are closer to ground level & pick up stuff. btw nice pond, have a few myself in similar natural settings...

 

[LD1]

Its normal. Just keep it clean and keep going.

 

[gsganzer]

So, my question is: Is this normal for other Kubota owners? It just seems like that would really be big deal that shouldn't be happening.

Just mow in reverse to prevent it.:laughing:

It is a pain sometimes, especially late in the season with tall dry grass that creates a lot of chaff. On my smaller BX, the radiator is between the operator and engine and the air flows from rear to front, to help prevent chaff from covering the radiator screen. It makes sense on the smaller and lower machines where the radiator is closer to the tall grass.

 

[whis]

Early mornings? I start at 7:30 AM and mow until 6:30 PM. I don't stop for lunch or to pee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsV2FODXGBg

I've got 1 week to mow 22 miles of pipeline right of way.

why do you wait so late to start? carry a leaf blower with you to clean out the screens

 

[tractortom55]

Clean mine a lot.

 

[jp2code]

why do you wait so late to start? carry a leaf blower with you to clean out the screens

What do you mean? I am cleaning it twice a day, and I'm out about 5 miles from my truck mowing in all sorts of conditions. I really don't have anywhere to put a leaf blower.

Were you joking?

 

[whis]

yes was joking about start time but 7:30 ain't early. mount a box or milk create on bushhog put leaf blower in it and blow out under the hood every few hours all tractors will plug up after a while in tall stuff

 

[jp2code]

Whew! That's good to know.

I get up at 5, but have to hang around to take the boy to school at 6:30. Then it is an hour drive out to the mow spots.

I thought about mounting a crate on the fender, but limbs from low branches would probably rip it off. There have been a few times I have been worried about the canopy when a branch grabs a little more than I intended.